Apolipoproteins Are Biomarkers for Diabetic Retinopathy

"Our findings may elucidate the role of apos in diabetic retinopathy & support previous evidence that serum apos are stronger biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy, & possibly other diabetic microvascular complications, than traditional lipids," they write.

In patients with diabetes, with or without diabetic retinopathy, serum apolipoproteins (apos) are associated with markers of systemic and retinal microvascular dysfunction, according to a study published.

The researchers found that every standard deviation (SD) increase in apoAI level correlated significantly with ACh-induced skin perfusion (mean change, 1.27 percent) and flicker-light retinal arteriolar vasodilatation (0.33 percent), while there was an inverse correlation with arteriolar tortuosity (−2.83 × 10−5), after adjustment for age and sex. These associations persisted in multivariable models. For apoB, each SD increase correlated significantly with arteriolar tortuosity only (1.75 × 10−5). Serum apoAI was inversely related to retinal vessel tortuosity and correlated positively with increased vasomotor responsiveness to ACh and flickering light.

"Our findings may elucidate the role of apos in diabetic retinopathy and support previous evidence that serum apos are stronger biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy, and possibly other diabetic microvascular complications, than traditional lipids," the authors write.